About Varzese Cattle

This is the only
autochthonous breed from Lombardia: its origin is around the Apennines situated
in five regions, Lombardia, Emilia, Toscana, Liguria and Piedmont.

Today it is at serious
risk of extinction. Probably it reached Italy following the barbarians during
the sixth century. Actually it is known that the Longobards had brought dark
golden red coated cattle into the Po Valley in the sixth century.

Since 1985 the
Registry Office of autochthonous cattle breeds and ethnic groups of limited
diffusion has been founded, in order to protect those Italian cattle breeds at
risk of extinction and to safeguard this genetic heritage. Among them there are
the following breeds: Agerolese, Bianca Val Padana (Modenese), Burlina,
Cabannina, Calvana, Cinisara, Garfagnina, Modicana, Mucca Pisana, Pezzata Rossa
d’Oropa, Pinzgau, Pontremolese, Pustertaler, Reggiana, Sarda, Sardo-Modicana,
Varzese.

They are rustic and
long lived. They are mainly suitable to labour with modest quality milk and
meat.